Zopiclone is a sleeping medicine for the short-term treatment of insomnia. It is only available on prescription. If you are looking to buy Zopiclone 10 mg tablets online in the UK or seeking information on buying Zopiclone, you must be aware that treatment must be clinically appropriate and provided in accordance with UK medicines regulations.
Zopiclone is one of a group of medicines known as Z-drugs. It has a hypnotic and sedative effect and can be prescribed if insomnia is severe or has a significant effect on daily life.
Important: Zopiclone is a prescription-only medicine in the UK. The strength and dose prescribed should be decided by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. Do not take a 10 mg dose unless it has been specifically prescribed for you and the medicine provided is approved and labelled as such.
What is Zopiclone?
Zopiclone is a hypnotic medicine used to treat short-term insomnia. It is used for people who have difficulty falling asleep, regularly wake during the night or wake up much earlier than planned.
The drug works by increasing activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a chemical messenger involved in reducing activity within the brain. This has a soothing effect that can help to promote sleep.
In general, zopiclone is used to treat difficulty sleeping for short periods of time, rather than for long-term management. This is because the medicine can cause tolerance, dependence and withdrawal if used in the long term.
Zopiclone 10 mg and UK Tablet Strengths
People often look up terms like Zopiclone 10 mg tablets online, but patients should always check the strength stated on their prescription and medicine packaging.
The common strengths of zopiclone tablets referred to in the UK are 3.75 mg and 7.5 mg. Patients should never increase their prescribed dose simply because they have come across information about Zopiclone 10 mg online.
The correct strength depends on individual circumstances and should be determined by a healthcare professional, taking into account age, symptoms, other medicines and relevant medical conditions.
What are Zopiclone tablets used for?
Zopiclone can be prescribed for the short-term treatment of severe insomnia. Insomnia can involve an inability to fall asleep, waking up many times during the night, or waking up too early and not being able to get back to sleep.
Occasional poor sleep does not mean that medicine is necessary. The healthcare professional may take into account the length and severity of the symptoms and whether non-medicine approaches to improving sleep have been appropriate when deciding whether to prescribe zopiclone.
How does Zopiclone work?
Zopiclone works on the GABA system in your brain. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that inhibits the overactivity of neurones.
Zopiclone enhances the effects of GABA and produces sedative and hypnotic effects. This medication may help an appropriately selected patient to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Prescribed zopiclone tablets are usually taken shortly before going to sleep, as the medicine tends to work rapidly.
How should I use Zopiclone?
Always take zopiclone exactly as your doctor or other qualified prescriber has told you. Furthermore, carefully follow the directions on the dispensing label and the information given to you by your doctor or pharmacist.
Zopiclone tablets are taken with water. You usually take your medicine just before you go to bed. Do not take more tablets if the first dose does not seem to have worked.
Do not exceed the recommended dose. An overdose of zopiclone can be dangerous and may need urgent medical attention.
How long is Zopiclone normally prescribed for?
Zopiclone is usually given for a short period of time. The length of treatment can be a matter of days or weeks, depending on individual circumstances.
Prolonged use may lead to the development of tolerance and dependence. Tolerance means the medicine may not work as well over time, and dependence can make it difficult to stop the medicine.
Patients who have been taking zopiclone on a regular basis should not change or stop treatment abruptly without first seeking appropriate medical advice.
Side Effects of Zopiclone
Zopiclone, like all medicines, can cause side effects, but not everybody gets them. One relatively well-known effect is a bitter or metallic taste in the mouth.
Other possible effects include:
- Daytime sleepiness or drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Reduced alertness
- Memory problems
- Strange dreams
- Feeling sick or having an upset stomach
Some people may experience more serious reactions. If you have any worrying or unexpected symptoms after taking zopiclone, seek medical help.
Next-day drowsiness from Zopiclone
Alertness following awakening may be impaired by zopiclone, particularly if sleep time has been insufficient or if the drug has been taken with sedating substances.
If you feel drowsy, dizzy or confused after taking the medicine, do not drive a car, ride a bicycle or operate machinery.
Patients should follow the specific advice given by their doctor, pharmacist and the patient information leaflet that accompanies their tablets.
Zopiclone and Alcohol
Do not consume alcohol while taking zopiclone. Mixing zopiclone with alcohol can greatly increase its sedative effects.
This combination can cause very deep sleep, difficulty waking and potentially dangerous breathing problems. Zopiclone can also interact with other medicines that make you sleepy.
Tell your prescriber about all medicines, supplements and other substances you use before you start treatment.
Drugs That May Interact With Zopiclone
There are several medicines that can interact with zopiclone or increase its sedative effects. You may need to be more careful with opioid painkillers, other medicines that help you sleep, medicines used to treat anxiety, sedating antihistamines, antidepressants and antipsychotic medicines.
Some antibiotics and antifungal medicines may also interact with zopiclone.
Always tell your doctor or pharmacist that you are taking zopiclone and give them a current list of all the medicines you are taking.
Who Should Not Take Zopiclone?
Zopiclone is not suitable for everyone. It should only be prescribed by a healthcare professional after assessing your relevant medical history.
Some breathing disorders, sleep apnoea, severe liver problems, myasthenia gravis or a history of alcohol, drug or medicine dependence may require special care or an alternative treatment.
You should also speak with your healthcare professional before taking zopiclone if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Addiction and Dependence
Zopiclone may lead to physical or psychological dependence, particularly if used for longer than the recommended period or not used according to instructions.
If you stop taking it after regular use, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. These can include anxiety, agitation, disturbed sleep and other symptoms.
When you need to stop a medicine that you have been taking for a long time, your healthcare professional may advise you to lower the dose gradually rather than stopping it abruptly.
Buy Zopiclone Online in the UK
Anyone considering buying Zopiclone online in the UK should be aware that Zopiclone is a prescription-only medicine. A legitimate supply should therefore involve an appropriate prescribing and dispensing process.
Patients can be exposed to counterfeit, incorrectly labelled or poor-quality products by buying prescription medicines from unknown websites, social media sellers or other unauthorised sources.
When using an online UK pharmacy, ensure that the pharmacy is properly registered and that suitable clinical safeguards are in place before prescription medication is supplied.
Can Zopiclone be bought over the counter?
In the UK, zopiclone must not be sold or marketed as a standard over-the-counter (OTC) sleeping tablet. It is a prescription-only medicine.
Websites that promote Zopiclone 10 mg without a prescription or encourage customers to bypass a proper medical assessment should be approached with caution.
The need for a prescription allows a healthcare professional to assess whether zopiclone is appropriate, identify any possible interactions and establish a suitable treatment regimen.
Buy Medicine Safely Online
If you are a patient looking to buy Zopiclone tablets online, make sure that you check the credentials of the pharmacy rather than choosing a website simply because it offers the cheapest price or fastest delivery.
If you are using a pharmacy in the UK, you can check whether it is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council. For pharmacies in Northern Ireland, check with the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland.
Do not buy prescription medicines through social media, messaging apps or websites where you cannot verify the pharmacy’s credentials.
How to Store Zopiclone
Keep zopiclone tablets in the pack they came in, unless your pharmacist tells you to do otherwise. Store them according to the directions on the label of the individual medicine.
Keep all medicines in a safe place, out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use the tablets after the expiry date shown on the pack.
Expired or unused medicines should normally be returned to a pharmacy for appropriate disposal. Do not dispose of medicines in wastewater or household waste unless you have been specifically advised to do so.
Important Safety Information:
Zopiclone is a prescription-only medicine and should only be taken if it has been prescribed for you by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. Never take more tablets than your doctor has advised, and never give your tablets to someone else.
The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for advice from a doctor, pharmacist or other qualified healthcare professional. Always read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine.